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Mike Trout wins Baseball America Player & Rookie of the Year Awards

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ANAHEIM, CA – Angels outfielder Mike Trout has been named by Baseball America as the winner of its 2012 Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year Awards. He becomes the first player to win both awards in the same season, and the first Angel to win either award.

The 21-year-old finished the season ranked in the American League Top 5 in several offensive categories including, average (.326, 2nd), runs scored (129, 1st), stolen bases (49, 1st), slugging percentage (.564, 3rd) and on-base percentage (.399, 3rd).

Trout was the first player in Major League history to steal 45 bases, score 125 runs and hit 30 home runs in a single season. Additionally, he is the only player to hit .320 or above with 30 HRs and 45 SBs in a single season.

The New Jersey native led all rookies in nearly every offensive category and was named the American League Rookie of the Month in May, June, July and August becoming the first player to claim the award in four consecutive months. He was also the first rookie ever to record 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.

Trout becomes just the third outfielder to win Player of the Year honors, joining Barry Bonds (2001, ’03, 04) and Matt Kemp (2011). He is the fourth outfielder capture the Rookie of the Year, joining Raul Mondesi (1994), Carlos Beltran (1999) and Andrew McCutchen (2009).

The only other player to have captured both awards is Albert Pujols, who was named Baseball America’s Rookie of the Year in 2001 and Player of the Year in 2005.

The Baseball America Rookie of the Year has been presented annually since 1989, and the Player of the Year award has been issued annually since 1998.